Food Sovereignty, Climate Change, and The Three Sisters: Mandaamin (Corn), Mashkodesimin (Bean), Okosimaan (Squash, Pumpkin)Grade Level: 9 -12Content Area: Science, Indigenous knowledgeAuthor: Wendy Fuller, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School, High School Science TeacherIn an effort to encourage students to learn where their food comes from, make more informed decisions about what they eat and how what they eat impacts the environment, students are introduced to indigenous teachings regarding companion planting of food crops. In this remix of an earlier project, students expand their understanding of food sovereignty and the impact of climate change on the beings, The Three Sisters.

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe school is a Bureau of Indian Education/Tribally controlled school catering to students who are themselves tribally enrolled or a descendant of a tribal member. Our school has a close working relationship with the Lac Courte Oreilles College Extension program, including access to the college farm. In an effort to encourage students to learn where their food comes from, make more informed decisions about what they eat and how what they eat impacts the environment, students are introduced to indigenous teachings regarding companion planting of food crops. Though the growing part of this project is long term, students learn about the process of seed development, understand the length of time it takes for a plant to mature and ultimately provide food sources. An additional benefit to this project is that it provides students with a sense of nurturing as they help their plants thrive.